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Job Interview Cheat Sheet: Hiring Managers – 5/20/2014

Five ways to impress the hiring manager during your job interview

Your resume may get you the job interview, but impressing the hiring manager is the only way to land the job. Oftentimes, highly qualified candidates fail their job interviews without even knowing why. In healthcare, it is important to understand that the attributes a hiring manager looks for during the interview may be very different from what a hiring manager would look for outside the medical field. Healthcare hiring managers are looking for punctuality, politeness, compassion, and a candidate’s experience. If you convey these traits and skills during your interview, you will certainly impress the hiring manager.

Be early

Showing up early to an interview shows initiative and dedication. If the hiring manager isn't there when you arrive, take this time to go over your resume and rehearse your answers to possible interview questions. According to Work Smart California, you should practice your interview answers before arriving as well.

Remember, your interview might start as you walk in the door. Be polite to the secretary or front-desk individual who directs you to the waiting area to be seated. Your conduct while waiting may trickle down to the hiring manager after you've left the facility.

Be accurate

One thing that could cost you the position is discrepancies or inconsistencies on your resume. Although you are asked to bring a copy of your resume, and to write this information on an application, you will still be asked about your employment and educational history. If you give any answers that are not consistent with your application or resume, this will send up a red flag. Be sure to avoid this by constantly updating your resume and going over it several times before going to the interview.

With that being said, remember to make the best impression with a well-polished resume. If you want to maximize your employment chances, avoid these healthcare resume mistakes at all costs:

Poor/not proofing

One size fits all resume

Ignoring keywords

Telling rather than showing

Using obscure formatting

Be honest about negative work experiences

During your job interview, the hiring manager might ask about any negative experiences in your previous employment. Be honest about this information and use it as a positive point in your interview. If you had a particularly difficult time working with an ex-employee, describe the situation and your solution that helped you to overcome it. This showcases your ability as a problem solver and demonstrations your honesty.

Ask questions about the company

This is one of the often overlooked brownie points in an interview. Asking the hiring manager for background information about the facility shows them that you're interested in becoming part of the team. Also, use this time to engage in conversation about the company by throwing in your knowledge about the organization. This is why researching the hospital, clinic, or facility before your interview is important.

Follow up with a thank you letter

Always follow-up your interview with a personalized thank you letter. If you originally applied for the position by email, simply send a letter to the same hiring manager. However, to score extra brownie points, handwritten letters offer a degree of warmth. Virginia Tech recommends sending this letter within two business days of your interview. The purpose of this letter is to show the employer that you appreciate their interest in you as a candidate and that you have good manners.